Chapter 34: Celebration

Chapter 34: Celebration

He Yuzhu had received his third-grade chef certificate. For established master chefs who had long been running kitchens in major restaurants, such a certificate was of little importance, as their culinary skills were already widely recognized. However, for He Yuzhu, it was crucial. He was simply too young; even if people praised his cooking, their first impression was often that it was impossible—that he was just bragging. With the certificate, he had an official endorsement. By showing it, others would immediately understand the level of his ability, saving him from a great deal of unnecessary hassle.

Upon arriving at his master’s house, he burst in happily, calling out, "Mistress, I passed! I got the third-grade chef certificate!"

Hearing this, his mistress came out from the room and said, "Zhuzi, did you really get it? Let me see."

"Here you go, Mistress," He Yuzhu said, handing over the certificate.

"I want to see! I want to see too!" Yushui and Xiaohu jumped around their mistress, eager to see the document in her hands.

"Alright, alright, let’s look at it together," the mistress said, leading them to the table to examine it.

"This is wonderful, truly wonderful. Have you told your master yet?" she asked happily.

"Not yet. As soon as I got the certificate, I rushed back to tell you. I’m heading over to tell him now," He Yuzhu replied.

"Good, go quickly. Let your master share in the joy," she said.

He Yuzhu hopped on his bicycle and headed toward Fengzeyuan to share the good news. Once he reached the restaurant and entered his master's office, he announced, "Master, I passed the examination! I’ve received my chef certificate."

"Good, good, good! It’s great that you passed. Zhuzi, you really did it! Have you told your mistress?" Fan Dakang asked with a beaming smile.

"I have. As soon as I got it, I went back to tell her," He Yuzhu said.

"Zhuzi, since you’ve earned your third-grade certificate, and I’ve been holding off on your graduation from apprenticeship, why don’t we use this celebration to hold your graduation banquet as well?" his master suggested.

"I’ll do whatever you say, Master," He Yuzhu replied.

"Fine, then it’s settled. Let’s see... let’s set it for three days from now. Notify anyone you wish to invite right away," Fan Dakang instructed.

"Understood, Master," He Yuzhu said.

"That’s all for now. You don't need to help in the kitchen today; you can head back early," his master added.

"Oh, and Master, I’d like for us to have a small celebration tonight. Please finish your work early," He Yuzhu said before leaving.

"Very well. I don't have much left to do, so I’ll head home early," Fan Dakang agreed.

After leaving Fengzeyuan, He Yuzhu went to the home of his senior fellow apprentice, Fan Ting. When he knocked on the door, she was pleasantly surprised to see him.

"Senior Sister, I’ve earned my third-grade chef certificate! I came to invite you back to Master’s house—we’re going to celebrate together tonight," He Yuzhu said.

"Zhuzi, you really got the third-grade certificate? That’s fantastic! Congratulations!" Fan Ting exclaimed.

"Let’s go then. I’ll take you there, and then I’ll go notify my brother-in-law," He Yuzhu said.

"Alright, wait for me to lock the door," she replied.

After she locked up, He Yuzhu took her back to their master’s house.

"Mother, I’m home," Fan Ting called out.

"You’re back? Come on in," the mistress replied.

"Mistress, I’ve told Master, and we’re going to have a celebration tonight," He Yuzhu said.

"This is a happy occasion; it certainly deserves a celebration," the mistress agreed.

"Mistress, I’m going to go notify my brother-in-law, pick up Fan Yao, and buy some groceries on the way," He Yuzhu said.

"Alright, go ahead," she said.

He Yuzhu first rode to the Public Security Bureau to inform his brother-in-law, Zhou Jianye, to come to the master’s house for dinner. He then pedaled off to pick up Fan Yao from school and bring her to the house. Making several trips, he filled the kitchen with fish, meat, vegetables, and wine.

Since it was already late, he didn’t prepare anything overly complicated. He took out some pork ears, tripe, and head meat he had already braised from his storage, creating a cold-cut platter. His signature boiled fish was a must, along with red-braised pork, Kung Pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, moo shu pork, oil-braised prawns, and a few stir-fried vegetable dishes.

By the time he finished, his master and brother-in-law had both arrived. A large group of them sat around the table.

"My goodness, this is quite a feast," Zhou Jianye remarked.

"Zhuzi has been busy in the kitchen for a while; of course it’s a feast," Fan Ting said.

He Yuzhu opened a jar of "Forget-Worry" wine and said to Zhou Jianye, "Let’s have some spirits tonight."

"Sounds good. Your wine is excellent; it doesn't go to your head," Zhou Jianye replied.

"Senior Sister, would you and Mistress prefer wine or something else?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Let’s have some wine," Fan Ting said.

"Brother Zhuzi, what are we drinking?" Fan Yao asked.

"I’ve prepared watermelon juice for you two. How does that sound?" He Yuzhu said.

"Great! Thank you, Brother Zhuzi," Fan Yao cheered.

Everyone filled their glasses.

"Come, let’s all congratulate Zhuzi first on receiving his third-grade chef certificate," Master Fan Dakang said.

"It’s all thanks to your teaching, Master," He Yuzhu said.

They all raised their glasses. "Cheers!"

"Everyone, dig in and taste Zhuzi’s cooking," Fan Dakang said.

After a hearty meal, He Yuzhu, his master, and Zhou Jianye sat in the courtyard, sipping tea.

"Zhuzi, now that you have your certificate, what are your plans? Why not stay at Fengzeyuan permanently?" Fan Dakang asked.

"Master, I think the way it is now works well. When Fengzeyuan is overwhelmed, I go in to help—it’s perfect. If I were full-time, my position would overlap with the second senior apprentice’s, and Fengzeyuan wouldn’t let me do odd jobs while paying me a third-grade chef’s salary, would they?" He Yuzhu reasoned.

"That is true. It works during busy times, but you’d be redundant during the slow periods," Fan Dakang admitted.

"Zhuzi, why not come to our bureau?" Zhou Jianye suggested.

"Brother-in-law, are you kidding? You only have a dozen people there; do you really need a master chef? Anyone who can cook a simple meal would do," He Yuzhu laughed.

"Why wouldn't we need a master chef? We work hard every day—why shouldn't we eat well? Besides, we have to deal with other departments and handle receptions," Zhou Jianye argued.

"That can be solved by hiring a cook. If you hire a master chef, aren't you worried about trouble? Besides, who knows when you’ll actually have a formal reception? If you really do, just call me, and I’ll come over and cook a table for free," He Yuzhu said.

"That’s a promise—I’m holding you to it," Zhou Jianye said.

"So that’s what you were after," He Yuzhu chuckled.

"Hehehe," Zhou Jianye wore the satisfied expression of someone who had successfully pulled off a scheme.

"Many restaurants are short on chefs, but your age is a disadvantage; you won't command the respect of the staff," Master Fan Dakang noted.

"Master, I think things are fine as they are. I earn enough to get by and support my sister, and I have time to refine my craft," He Yuzhu said.

"Then let’s keep it this way for now," Fan Dakang said with a sigh.

After chatting for a while longer, He Yuzhu and Zhou Jianye rose to take their leave.